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Heather Edwards

Money would go to technology upgrades, new building
On May 6, School District 197 will be asking voters to approve a two-question tax-levy referendum that would improve technology, expand early learning and boost the district’s security systems.

Folks got closer to the river by crossing the bridge at its grand opening June 11, 2011. (Linda E. Andersen/Review)

Bridge becomes new transport hub, for walkers and bikers
The Inver Grove Heights City Council has approved a project that will make Swing Bridge Park even better.
During its Feb. 24 meeting, the council approved a second phase of the Mississippi River regional trailhead project near Swing Bridge Park. The project aims to provide offstreet parking, public restrooms, a historical information center and picnic facilities. A covered picnic shelter will hold 50-60 people and will be available for rent.

Second-grade teacher Molly Hickok of Visitation School is being praised for her creativity and innovative teaching methods and activities. The Minnesota Council for the Social Studies recently named her the elementary teacher of the year. (Submitted photo)

Hickok recognized for ‘thinking outside the box’
A favorite teacher from Visitation School in Mendota Heights has received top honors from the Minnesota Council for the Social Studies.
Second-grade teacher Molly Hickok was recently named the 2014 Elementary School Teacher of the Year.

Under plans for the February referendum, McMorrow Field would trade its softball fields for soccer and football fields, as well as additional parking. (submitted graphic)

Thanks to passage of a levy referendum, South St. Paul will be going forward with plans to significantly improve city parks and Wakota Arena.
During a special election Tuesday, Feb. 11, voters approved a property-tax referendum that will allow a 20-year bond with a total cost of $10,015,888.
For an average South St. Paul home valued at $150,000, the bond will increase city taxes about $8 a month. The referendum passed with 921 yes votes and 684 no votes.

Don Axtman, son of Kay Hermann, posed with South Metro Fire Chief Mike Pott during a $25,000 donation to the department. (submitted photo)

Thanks to the family of former West St. Paul Firefighter Charlie Hermann, the South Metro Fire Department will have a better chance of saving lives from both fire and water.
Hermann, now deceased, served on the West St. Paul Fire Department from May 1953 to April 1977, but his legacy in the department will be remembered well into the future thanks to his $25,000 bequeathment.
According to Don Axtman, son of Charlie’s wife, Kay, Charlie was adamant the $25,000 donation should benefit the firefighters who comprise the department. In keeping with his wishes, department administrators decided to divide the donation into ten scholarships of $2,500 that firefighters can apply for on a yearly basis.

A former West St. Paul City Council member was acquitted last week after being tried on multiple counts of disorderly conduct, including misconduct of a public official.
Dakota County Attorney James Backstrom announced that Edward Everett Hansen, age 43 of West St. Paul, was acquitted of one count of misconduct of a public official (a gross misdemeanor), one count of disorderly conduct (a misdemeanor) and an additional count of disorderly conduct (a misdemeanor).

The Midwest Youth Dance Theater rehearses for their original performance, “Somebody to Love,” which will debut at the Drew Fine Arts Center at Hamline University Jan. 17 and 18. (photos by Heather Edwards/Review)

For listeners, the songs of “Queen” conjure images of football rallies and stadium concerts. But this week, the music of Queen will be combined with dance: modern, jazz and even ballet.
The Midwest Youth Dance Theater (MYDT) of Roseville will premiere their original performance, entitled “Somebody to Love,” at the Drew Fine Arts Center Hamline University 1530 Taylor Avenue St. Paul, St. Paul. Performances will be held Jan. 17 and 18.

“Finals are coming up,” lamented my high-schooler. “I don’t do well on tests, you know.”
We were driving home from school when she expressed her test-taking anxiety. I began telling her she should do her best, that everyone gets nervous taking tests, and if she studied she would have nothing to worry about.
But Daughter No. 1 interrupted me. “I remember last year’s lit test. There was an essay asking us to give the characteristics of a sonnet. So I said, ‘It rhymes with bonnet, and it rhymes with net.’

The book cover of Julie Klassen’s latest novel “The Dancing Master” seemed to come alive in front of hundreds of fans earlier this month.
During her Dec. 12 book launch at Barnes & Noble in HarMar Mall, the Shoreview author introduced readers to Jen Halvorson and Brandon Kaschmitter, who appear as “Alec” and “Julia,” the main characters in Klassen’s 7th book.

A Christmas proposal at a Stillwater gazebo seemed more like a Christmas miracle.

I wasn’t looking for a Christmas miracle that night.
When the movie I was taking Daughter No. 2 and her friends to was sold out, I could see the disappointment on their faces. They had been looking forward to seeing a Disney film with a lovely young princess and a handsome young prince.